Questions And Answers

What is Soccer for Success?

Soccer for Success is the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s innovative youth development program that uses soccer as a tool to combat childhood obesity and promote healthy lifestyles for children in under-resource urban communities. Washington Youth Soccer runs the program in South Seattle for over 1,200 low-income children who otherwise would not have access to soccer programs.

The U.S. Soccer Foundation is a recognized leader in sports-based youth development programs for children in underserved, urban communities. Since its founding in 1994, the organization has provided more than $55 million in funding to create and sustain innovative programs across all 50 states. To deliver positive health and social outcomes, the Foundation’s affordable initiatives offer safe environments in which both boys and girls thrive. Headquartered in Washington, D.C. the U.S. Soccer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. Visit www.ussoccerfoundation.org to learn more.

The Social Innovation Fund is an initiative of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) intended to improve the lives of people in low-income communities. It does so by mobilizing public and private resources to grow promising, innovative community-based solutions that have evidence of compelling impact in three areas of priority need: economic opportunity, healthy futures, and youth development.

The Social Innovation Fund employs an operating and program model that is itself innovative and truly represents a "new way of doing business" for the federal government.

Our Soccer for Success program consists of two, twelve-week seasons. The fall season runs from September through December, and the spring season runs from March through May. Washington Youth Soccer is currently operating it's fourth season of Soccer for Success. Each school supports the program within the school campus.

Each player will be provided 108 hours of soccer and nutritional education, including three Family Engagement Events throughout the year, nutritional information and other events/resources. Additionally, each registered player who attends a minimum of 80%/season will be awarded a Soccer for Success jersey (fall) and a soccer ball + medal (spring) in recognition of their attendance.

Each Soccer for Success session lasts for 90 minutes after-school and is provide three times a week for two twelve-week seasons. During the 90 minute session players are provided a healthy snack, physical activity and mentorship. Players will be picked up or permitted to walk home/take public transportation after each session.

Washington Youth Soccer and our school-based site-coordinators will work together to make sure that the playing space is safe for our players. On days with rain, practice will be held indoors in the gymnasium, cafeteria or other safe, open space. For days when school is canceled (snow days etc) Washington Youth Soccer will make every effort to schedule a make-up day, ensuring that players complete the 108 total hours of participation.

Our Soccer for Success schools were chosen for the percentage of free/reduced lunch recipients, community diversity and geographic location. Although potential for additional or new locations is limited, to highlight your school as a potential future recipient of Washington Youth Soccer’s Soccer for Success Program, contact Rachel Wilton at rachelw@WashingtonYouthSoccer.org.

Each school will be provided three paid coaches, so if you are a youth soccer coach within Washington Youth Soccer, we encourage you to read the job description and apply. Coaches will be hired throughout the summer of 2012 and the winter of 2013. For job description and application details, visit our Employment page.

Yes! We will be offering several large Family Engagement Events and Soccer for Success wide events throughout the year and will look for volunteers to help make these events a success. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Rachel Wilton at rachelw@WashingtonYouthSoccer.org, with the subject line "Soccer for Success Volunteer."

With the national focus on physical activity and the importance of nutritional education for youth, this program puts Washington and youth soccer on the cutting edge of youth development. As such, Washington Youth Soccer has partnered with numerous programs and organizations to grow the impact of this program, partnerships which can help connect your Club and/or Association to their resources and funding. As we continue to educate our state on the importance of youth soccer to develop healthful, active youth through soccer, we look to leverage this program to build stronger relationships with our schools, health-based organizations and other youth programs, ultimately connecting more kids to local soccer opportunities and our Clubs/Associations.

How can my Club or Association get involved with U.S. Soccer Foundation?

Currently the U.S. Soccer Foundation offers grants to support local soccer initiatives and growing the youth game across the nation. Most often supporting field development and programs in low income, urban areas, these grants have supported Washington Youth Soccer programs such as Soccer Across Washington and the Anti-Gang Initiative. To learn more about funding possibilities for your Club or Association visit www.ussoccerfoundation.org. If you have any questions about applying for a grant contact Rachel Wilton at rachelw@WashingtonYouthSoccer.org.